Bosnian Serbs say icon specified to Russian minister not stolen

The business office of Bosnia’s Serb leader states an Orthodox icon introduced to Russia’s foreign minister experienced not been stolen from the Ukraine

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — An Orthodox icon offered to Russia’s international minister had not been stolen from the Ukraine, the business of Bosnia’s Serb leader mentioned Tuesday, amid an global diplomatic spat over its origins.

The presiding Serb member of Bosnia’s three-member presidency, Milorad Dodik, gifted the gilded icon to Russia’s Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov when he frequented Bosnia on Dec. 14.

The icon, which was reported to be 300 yrs aged, is believed to have originated from eastern Ukraine, exactly where Russia-backed rebels have been fighting Ukrainian troops in a six-12 months conflict. Dozens of Serbs have fought alongside the professional-Russia rebels in the conflict.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Sarajevo has requested information and facts on how the Bosnian Serb chief arrived to have the icon, noting that the failure to present the information and facts would suggest Bosnia is supporting Russia’s “aggressive policy and military services actions” in japanese Ukraine.

Russia’s overseas ministry reported Saturday it would return the icon to the Bosnian Serbs for an international police investigation about its origin.

Following far more than a week’s silence, Dodik’s place of work reported in a statement that the icon was not stolen and that it not a piece of “cultural heritage or countrywide treasure.” It explained it is “a church-blessed icon” that normal Orthodox faithful preserve in their households.

The assertion did not say how Dodik arrived to have the religious artwork or how it was brought to Bosnia. As a substitute, it condemned rival Bosnian politicians and media of spreading lies aiming to harm Serb-Russian relations.

“Hideous lies can’t hurt the brotherly ties concerning the two Orthodox nations,” the assertion claimed.

Dodik, a staunch pro-Russian politician, also analyzed positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.